Teen Pianist Practices a Positive Attitude

Award Winner

Congratulations to Yuqing Meng, recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Yuqing will receive an award of $10,000 to help him continue his music studies and assist him with music-related needs.

Yuqing Meng's talent is winning him awards.

September 12, 2007 - Sixteen-year-old Yuqing Meng says his teacher (renowned Veda Kaplinsky of the Juilliard School) has good advice about piano competitions.

"She says we shouldn't feel devastated if we don't win. Devastation can keep a musician from moving forward and it's important to keep a positive attitude."

Meng's attitude has already won him several awards, including recently first place in the Blount-Slawson Young Artists Competition.

"There were nine finalists and nine judges," he recalls. "I didn't think I prepared that well, but according to the judges my performance was one of the most memorable they'd seen."

Yuqing won $10,000, a performance with the Montgomery (Alabama) Symphony Orchestra, and a spot on From the Top.

Yuqing is undoubtedly talented, but he's still not sure he has what it takes to become a professional musician.

"To be successful you need have talent, but you must also have luck," he explains. "My plan is to try my best over the next few years, to grab every opportunity I can and to work to my potential, but if my luck doesn't hold and music doesn't work out, there are other career paths in life. I think keeping your options open is always a smart thing to do."

Meng plays the "Toccata" by York Bowen.

Share this page using one of the following services: